As in many countries, New Yorkers have become accustomed to applauding healthcare workers every evening, on the front line in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. But in Manhattan, the confined inhabitants also wanted to make their voices heard by taking up “New York, New York”, a famous piece from Martin Scorcese’s film, performed by Liza Minelli, then later by Frank Sinatra.
On Thursday, from their windows or from their balconies, thousands of New Yorkers answered the call of the Peace of the Heart volunteer choir. This great classic resonated in certain neighborhoods for ten minutes.
“You can do it, New York”
“It’s an iconic song” with “a real message about getting out of it,” said Robert Hornsby, a choir manager.
“There’s even a passage that says, ‘Come on, you can do it, New York,’ and that’s where I think we’re all in. That’s why we picked her (… ) and if you don’t know the lyrics, you can just pick up the parts you know “.
New Yorkers sing Frank Sinatra’s classic “New York, New York” to pay tribute to essential caregivers and workers in city hit hard by coronavirus pandemic #AFP pic.twitter.com/PFmmBT7NtH
– Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) April 18, 2020
This is what Vivian Young and her husband did, out on First Avenue with their two children, to hum the famous tune, and greet, from a distance, friends who had come up to sing on the roof of their building. This daily tribute to caregivers, “It lifts your spirits, it’s something you expect at the end of the day, to change all this bad news,” says Vivian Young, smiling behind her mask.
The United States is the most bereaved country in the world with more than 36,000 deaths recorded this Saturday. In New York State, containment measures have been extended until May 15.
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